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Social

Sexual violence also has social impacts on its victims, such as the following: 3- 6,17

Strained relationships with family, friends, and intimate partners

Less emotional support from friends and family

Less frequent contact with friends and relatives

Lower likelihood of marriage

Isolation or ostracism from family or community

Health Risk Behaviors

Sexual violence victimization is associated with several health risk behaviors.3,12,18-27 Some researchers view the following health behaviors as both consequences of sexual violence and factors that increase a person's vulnerability to being victimized again in the future.24,28

Engaging in high-risk sexual behavior

Unprotected sex

Early sexual initiation

Choosing unhealthy sexual partners

Having multiple sex partners

Trading sex for food, money, or other items

Using harmful substances

Smoking cigarettes

Drinking alcohol

Drinking alcohol and driving

Taking drugs

Unhealthy diet-related behaviors

Fasting

Vomiting

Abusing diet pills

Overeating

Delinquency and criminal behavior

Failure to engage in healthy behaviors, such as motor vehicle seat belt use